H.R. No. 238 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Sergeant Ron Parker of the La Porte Police 1-2 Department was accorded a great honor recently when he received the 1-3 Texas Police Officer of the Year Award at the American Legion 1-4 Midwinter Convention; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker was chosen to receive this 1-6 prestigious accolade by the legion's Department of Texas after 1-7 careful consideration of many qualified candidates from across the 1-8 state, and his selection is indicative of the success he has 1-9 enjoyed throughout his career and of the esteem in which he is held 1-10 by his colleagues; and 1-11 WHEREAS, He began his career with the La Porte Police 1-12 Department in 1984 as a patrol officer, and he quickly earned a 1-13 well-deserved reputation for excellence based on his 1-14 professionalism, expertise, and dedication; after earning immediate 1-15 recognition as Rookie of the Year, he showed even greater potential 1-16 as he advanced through the ranks to become a detective and 1-17 sergeant; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In recognition of his meritorious service throughout 1-19 the years, Sergeant Parker received numerous honors and awards, 1-20 including a special commendation from Governor Mark White; in 1993, 1-21 he received the Medal of Valor for his courageous actions in 1-22 assisting an officer who was injured while apprehending a suspect 1-23 and for arresting the perpetrator without further incident; and 1-24 WHEREAS, He was decorated with the Medal of Merit in the 2-1 following year for his heroic rescue of two children during a fire 2-2 at a local apartment complex, and his entire team was honored for 2-3 its outstanding actions in the incident as well; in addition, he 2-4 recently received special commendation for his exceptional service 2-5 from the American Legion at the national level; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker has continued to make many 2-7 significant contributions to the law enforcement community through 2-8 his work with several professional organizations and is a valued 2-9 member of the Texas Robbery Investigators Association, Texas 2-10 Homicide Investigators Association, and Texas Municipal Police 2-11 Officers Association; he also has offered his wealth of expertise 2-12 to the benefit of Bay Area Crime Stoppers and the Law Enforcement 2-13 Division of the National Rifle Association; and 2-14 WHEREAS, A patriotic individual, he served with distinction 2-15 for seven years as a member of the United States Army National 2-16 Guard, and in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was 2-17 decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal and received an 2-18 honorable discharge as a sergeant; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker and his lovely wife Debbie also have 2-20 worked toward the betterment of the Houston metropolitan community 2-21 through their exemplary commitment as foster parents with Children 2-22 Protective Services, and they are the loving parents of two 2-23 cherished children, Brandi and Kent; and 2-24 WHEREAS, Sergeant Parker's dedication to his community has 2-25 significantly benefited the residents of the La Porte area, and he 2-26 is indeed deserving of special praise and recognition on the 2-27 occasion of his most recent honor; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-2 Legislature hereby congratulate Sergeant Ron Parker for being named 3-3 Texas Police Officer of the Year by the American Legion and extend 3-4 to him warmest best wishes for many more years of continued success 3-5 and happiness; and, be it further 3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-7 prepared for Sergeant Parker as an expression of high regard by the 3-8 Texas House of Representatives.